There is a new petition going around suggesting that Blood Bikers should have flashing green lights on their vehicles. It has gathered supporters and detractors in equal measure, but what does it all mean, and is it actually a good idea?
Who are the Blood Bikers and what do they do?
The Blood Bikers are a volunteer organization of motorcyclists across the UK and Ireland who deliver urgent medical items to hospitals. They often operate overnight or on holidays, at times when couriers are unavailable, delivering life-saving items when they’re needed most.
Why are people calling for green lights on Blood Biker motorcycles?
Flashing lights say “emergency” and road users are expected to let any vehicle with flashing lights past – that could be an ambulance with its blues flashing or the green lights of a doctor responding to an emergency. There’s no legal obligation to let someone with green lights pass, but with a life in peril thankfully most people let them through as soon as possible.
So, now we have a petition for Blood Bikers to also use green flashing lights. That seems like an obvious choice in some ways, right? But the reality may be different.
The legal status of green lights on UK roads
Under current legislation, green flashing lights are permitted on vehicles carrying a GMC registered doctor for the purpose of attending an emergency call.
Blood Bikers do not, save in very rare circumstances, engage in an emergency that requires them to have precedence over other road users. Most of their work is more akin to courier riding. Now this is incredibly important of course, and their value can’t be overstated; these fantastic volunteers save the NHS precious millions every single year and save countless lives with their work. But that does not mean they require or even desire the right of the road in the same way afforded to ambulances and doctors.
It’s possible that using flashing lights for anything other than an emergency may reduce the effectiveness of them as a warning device. If a road user thinks that the flashing green lights are a blood delivery, rather than a doctor racing to a life-threatening emergency, do they move over? Could this change cost patient lives?
The NABB’s position on green lights for Blood Bikes
The NABB (Nationwide Association of Blood Bikers), which represents the collective of all Blood Bike groups in the UK, does not support this petition. They said the following:
“Please do not sign a petition that suggests we get something we do not want, please just look out for us, remind your family, friends and acquaintances that we are out there helping the NHS and ultimately you, and if you are so inclined, give us the courtesy of the road and make it as safe for us as you can!”
Conclusion
Without legal exemptions, the green light system relies on public knowledge and public goodwill. Diluting this with more users, non-emergency users at that, has the potential to do more harm than good. As a Blood Biker friend of ours said
“Us Blood Bikers neither need nor want green flashing lights”
